Blasphemy? Perhaps. But the best thing about what may be the most rousing and well-crafted superhero movie since The Dark Knight is not the boffo action scenes that culminate in a New York City-destroying finale that rivals Michael Bay's obliteration of the Chicago skyline in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. No, the real appeal of The Avengers comes from the quiet moments among a group of decidedly unquiet humans, extra-humans, mutants, and demigods. In no particular order those are Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), S.H.I.E.L.D. world-government commander Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), and indispensable functionary Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg). That's a superstar lineup both in and out of character, and The Avengers brilliantly integrates the cast of ensemble egos into a story that snaps and crackles--not to mention smashes, trashes, and destroys--at breakneck pace, never sacrificing visual dazzle or hard-earned story dynamics. Writer-director Joss Whedon is no slouch when it comes to being a comic geek and he handles the heavy duty reins with efficient panache. The effects are of course spectacular. They include a monstrous flying aircraft carrier that is home base to S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nick Fury's Avenger Initiative; Tony Stark's gleaming skyscraper in midtown Manhattan; off-world scenes of malignant evil; as well as blindingly apocalyptic fights and the above-mentioned showdown that leaves New York a virtual ruin. Yet it's the deeply personal conversations and confrontations among the very reluctant team of Avengers that makes the movie pop. Full of humor, snappy dialogue, and little asides that include inside jokes, eye rolls, and personal grudge matches, the script makes these superhumans real beings with sincere passion or feelings of disillusionment. The conviction of the actors as they fully commit to their clever lines gives credibility to what comes off as more than simple banter, even during the more incredible moments among them (of which are many). The plot involves the appearance of Loki, disgraced villain and brother of Thor, who was also a key player in his eponymous movie. Loki has come to Earth to retrieve the Tesseract, a blue-glowing energy cube that is valuable beyond compare to forces good and evil throughout the universe. As Loki, Tom Hiddleston is supremely, yea gloriously appealing as the brilliantly wicked regal charmer who captures minds from S.H.I.E.L.D. and attempts to conquer Earth with the hideous army at his command. To say he is foiled is an understatement. His face-off with the Hulk is one of the giddiest moments in a movie filled with lightheaded mayhem, and is a perfect example of Whedon's throwaway approach to translating the mythic mystique of the Marvel comics universe. Though at times deadly serious (as deadly serious as an outrageous superhero destructo/fight-fest movie can be, that is), The Avengers is best when it lightens up and lets the fun fly alongside the powerhouse punches. By the way, a single blink-and-you'll-miss-it powerhouse punch is another moment that makes Hulk the most loveable underdog of a smashing green rage monster ever. That spirit of fun and pure adventure makes The Avengers the greatest kind of escapist Hollywood fantasy $250 million can buy. A blockbuster in the most literal sense. --Ted Fry

Harry Potter Hogwarts Collection (Blu-ray + DVD)

Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Brand: Warner Manufacturing

Harry Potter Hogwarts Collection (BD/DVD/UV)This comprehensive 31-disc collection contains all eight Harry Potter movies on Blu-ray, DVD and UltraViolet and more than 45 hours of special features including the Creating the World of Harry Potter documentary series on Blu-ray: Part 1: The Magic Begins - Explore the early decisions that impacted the entire series, and follow the search for the young leads. Part 2: Characters - Learn about the casting process and how the actors brought J.K. Rowling's beloved characters to life. Part 3: Creatures - Meet a new group of wizards: the artists who created the monsters and marvels in Harry's world. Part 4: Sound & Music - Hear how the composers and sound experts used their craft to magnify the series' emotional journey. Part 5: Evolution - Join the filmmakers as they discuss how the creative vision for the films evolved throughout the series. Part 6: Magical Effects - Watch how technical wizards conjured up an amazing alternate reality using CGI and practical effects. P...

"NOTE:This ASIN will have 3 Discs packed out (3D BD+ 2D BD + DVD) along with multiple inserts that contain code for the digital copy of the movie as well as the soundtrack." The codes for digital download of the sountrack doesn't expire until 10-1-2018 THE LITTLE MERMAID, one of the most celebrated animated films of all time, is now spectacularly transformed for the first time on Blu-ray, with a state-of-the-art digitally restored picture and brilliant high-definition sound! Venture under the sea where Ariel, a free-spirited mermaid princess, longs to be part of the human world. After bravely striking a bargain with Ursula, a sneaky sea witch, Ariel embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. With Flounder and Sebastian at her side, Ariel will need all of her courage and determination to make things right in both her worlds.

Labyrinth

Relive the magic. This newly restored, 2-disc anniversary edition of Jim Henson's Labyrinth contains an all-new commentary and bonus features that are guaranteed to captivate as never before. David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly invite you into a magical universe where nothing is what it seems. Babysitting infant stepbrother Toby on a weekend night isn't young Sarah's (Connelly) idea of fun. Frustrated by his crying, she secretly imagines the Goblins from her favorite book, Labyrinth, carrying Toby away. When her fantasy comes true, a distraught Sarah must enter a maze of illusion to bring Toby back from a kingdom inhabited by mystical creatures and governed by the wicked Goblin King (Bowie).

Fringe: Season 4

Fringe: The Complete Fourth SeasonWrapping up another mind-bending season, the acclaimed Fringe continues to explore otherworldly cases with endless impossibilities. Set in two parallel universes, the FBI's Fringe Division focuses around Special Agent Olivia Dunham, eccentric "fringe" scientist Walter Bishop and his jack-of-all-trades son, Peter â€“ supervised by Special Agent Phillip Broyles and assisted by Agent Astrid Farnsworth. Simultaneously, the universe "over there" is populated by alternate doppelgangers including a scheming "Walternate," seductive "Fauxlivia" and a parallel Fringe team armed with advanced high-technology. In both universes, the teams investigate unusual incidents that defy human logic and unimaginable events that threaten our very existence on a universal scale. Irrevocably linked to the "other" universe, Olivia and alternate-born Peter must heal the rifts between two warring universes while wrestling with questions of identity and destiny â€¦ and the complications of never...

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Manufacturer: Warner Bros.
Brand: Warner Manufacturing

High school student Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) wants a day off from school and he's developed an incredibly sophisticated plan to pull it off. He talks his friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) into taking his father's prized Ferrari and, with his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara), they head into Chicago for the day. While they are taking in what the city has to offer, school principal Ed Rooney is convinced that Ferris is, not for the first time, playing hooky for the day and is hell bent to catch him out. Ferris has anticipated that, much to Rooney's chagrin. This '80s movie is filled with bonus DVD materials that will give you an insider's view of this hilarious comedy directed by John Hughes.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Bueller... Bueller... Edition) [Blu-ray]

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (BD)"Buellerâ€¦Buellerâ€¦?" Sorry, not here! Instead, high-schooler Ferris Bue ller (Mathew Broderick), his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara), a nd his best bud Cameron (Alan Ruck) are off on the spontaneous romp through Chicago known as Ferris Bueller's Day Off. You'll also enjoy righteous bonus m aterials that give you an insider's peek at this hilarious comedy hit fr om John Hughes (Planes, Trains & Auto mobiles, Sixteen Candles). So, ba rf up a lung, forge a "sick note" from the parents, and tag along on the funniest adventure to eve r sweep through the Windy City. What are you still doing here? Save Ferris!]]>

Mamma Mia! The Movie (Blu-ray + Digital Copy)

Sophie has just one wish to make her wedding perfect: to have her father walk her down the aisle. Now she just has to find out who he is. Join the music, laughter and fun of the irresistibly charming Mamma Mia! The Movie. Academy Award-winner Meryl Streep leads an all-star cast, including Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth - as well as up-and-comers Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper, in this musical celebration of mothers, daughters and fathers, and true loves lost and new ones found. Based on the Broadway smash-hit and filled with the ABBA songs you know and love, it's the feel-good experience that will have you singing and dancing over and over again. The delirious sight of Meryl Streep leading a river of multigenerational women singing "Dancing Queen" is one of the high points of Mamma Mia!, the musical built around the songs of the hugely popular pop group ABBA. The plot sets in motion when Sophie (Amanda Seyfried, Mean Girls), daughter of Donna (Streep), sends a letter to three men, inviting them to her wed...

Amadeus (Double Sided Disc)

Gripping human drama. Sumptuous period epic. Glorious celebration of the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This marvelous winner of eight Academy Awards(R) portrays the rivalry between the genius Mozart (Tom Hulce) and the jealous court composer (Best Actor Oscar(R) Winner F.Murray Abraham) who may have ruined Mozart's career and shortened his life.Note:The disc is double-sided disc. Please flip over to watch the rest of the movie